Flat Daddy, the perfect gift this Christmas for children missing a parent serving abroad with the Armed Forces
By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 5:09 PM on 3rd December 2010
For all those children who will be without their fathers - and mothers - who serve in the armed forces this Christmas, one inventive company have come up with the perfect gift: The Flat Daddy.
A Flat Daddy is a life-sized, two-dimensional poster printed on a rollable adhesive-backed material that can be mounted to cardboard, foam, wood, or any other surface to serve as a reminder to children of absent parents that they love them dearly.
'Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-sized printed posters of parents who are actively serving overseas in the military,' according to its website.
Next best thing: A company set up by an American service woman called Flat Daddy allows military families to have a life-size replica of their parent in action over Christmas
DIY Dad: The two-dimensional poster is printed on rollable adhesive backed material that can be mounted to cardboard, foam or wood
Missed loved ones: Families can snap photos with their Flat Daddy so they can be part of special occasions and holidays or just a simple day in the park
'Experts believe the cut-outs are a useful psychological device, especially for children, to help cope with the stress of long absences.
'It helps the family stay connected and is a constant reminder that even though mom or dad is thousands of miles away, they are still a part of their lives.'
The company was set up in 2006 by Sergeant Barbara Claudel, who represents Maine National Guard.
Miss you daddy: The life-size image can be put at dinner tables so they feel close to their loved one serving abroad
Great idea: The company was set up in 2006 by Sergeant Barbara Claude as a constant reminder that even though their mother or father is thousands of miles away, they are still a part of their family's lives
Biker Dad: Experts believe the cut-outs are a useful psychological device, especially for children, to help cope with the stress of long absences.
She was looking for a way to help families stay connected to their loved ones serving in Iraq.
And now the idea that is taking off with military families around the country.
Marissa Stewart of Seattle, Washington, ordered a Flat Daddy of her husband, Staff Sergeant Jared Stewart, for her three children when he was deployed two years ago.
She even started a blog, A Year With Flat Daddy, to chronicle her family's adventures with their two-dimensional replacement.
War zone: But now children don't have to be without their mothers and fathers serving abroad, as a Flat Daddy can replace them
'With an eight-year-old, a five-year-old, and a three-year-old in the house, there's a lot of stuff to keep us busy,' the blog reads. 'We wouldn't want to leave daddy out, so we flattened him!
'Now we take him all the cool (and boring) places we go and snap pictures to keep him, and you, up to date on all the happenings.'
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